by Emma Woods
“Listen,” Donna said intently once I’d taken my first bite. “Don’t let talk of money scare you off. I would love to have you come in as a partner. You are the most talented student I ever had. I think we’d work wonderfully together, but I would understand if you aren’t ready for such a thing. You can tell me no, Rosie, and we’ll still be friends.” Her eyes crinkled at the corners.
I chewed slowly and swallowed before patting my lips with a napkin, all to give my racing brain time to process. “I need some time to think about this.”
“Of course, you do! It’s a big thing to consider! As much as I want you to come on board with me, Rosie, I know that you might not want to spend the rest of your life in Birch Springs. Taking on something like this would mean that you are tied here, and those ties wouldn’t be easy to release. It could be done, but it would take some doing.”
I couldn’t tell you what kind of pizza we ate by the time I was driving home. I kept leaping between being sure I could never become Donna’s partner and picturing myself taking on more of a role at the studio. The drive home was a blur, and I stumbled up the steps at Bumblebee House in a daze.
“Hi, Rosemarie,” Danielle greeted me as she came downstairs just as I entered the house. “Rosa and I were about to make tea. Would you like to join us?”
“Sure,” I agreed, though I wasn’t sure that I knew to what I was agreeing.
It was obvious that there was something on my mind. No sooner had the tea pot been set down in its funky quilted cozy than Rosa turned her sharp eyes on me.
“Okay, girl, spill it. Was your date last night that good? Or that bad?” She passed around a china plate of cookies.
“Oh, my date was good. Very good. It’s not that.” I took one, and then forgot my hand was holding it. “I just went to lunch with Donna from the dance studio, and she asked if I’d come in as a partner.”
“Congratulations,” Danielle said automatically, and then caught herself. “Wait, is this a good thing?”
I frowned. “I don’t know.”
“Well, take time and pray about it,” said Rosa. “That’s always the first place to start.”
“Sure. But I don’t even know if I can do it. I mean, there’s my family to think about. And then there’s the issue of my having no experience in business. On the other hand, I really do love teaching students to dance. What if I could be really good at it? What if I’d be horrible?” My words ran out and I stared into space.
I could feel Rosa and Danielle trading glances, and I blinked a few times.
“I think one of the big issues is that you feel so tied to the ranch.” Rosa poured tea and then sat back while it cooled in her cup. “You often put other people first, and in your family, you do that much of the time. They really depend on you at the ranch, but they don’t always appreciate your contribution.”
“Right. How would I tell Luke and Heather that I was quitting? There’s no way I could do that!” I shook my headed vehemently.
Danielle reached over and patted my hand. “Your dreams matter too, Rosemarie.”
I paused. What did she mean?
But Rosa seemed to understand. She nodded her agreement. “The ranch is your parents’ dream, and now your brother’s dream. That’s a good thing. But it doesn’t have to be your dream. You’re allowed to want to pursue something else. I have a feeling your parents would understand that and give you their blessing. After all, Matt did it.”
I shrugged miserably. “But that’s why I have to stay. Matt already isn’t working on the ranch. What would Luke do if I quit too?”
“He’d hire three people to replace you and be fine,” Rosa said dryly.
A tiny smile broke through my muddled thoughts. “I’m going to pray about it.”
“Good for you,” announced Danielle.
And I put it from my mind long enough to enjoy tea and cookies with these two wise women.
Once we’d tidied up, I headed up to my room and pulled out my phone. I wanted to talk to Matt about this. Unfortunately, my brother didn’t answer, and I didn’t want to lay it all out in a voicemail. Just as I was about to toss my phone down and take a shower, it rang.
“Hi!” I answered, instantly breathless after reading the caller ID.
“Hey,” Ty replied, sounding just as goofy. “I know I’m supposed to be cool and wait to call you after just enough time to be a total jerk, but I couldn’t help myself.”
I smiled and settled into the loveseat near the window. “I got an interesting offer at the studio today.” And I told him everything Donna had said to me. Then I went on to outline all the reasons I wasn’t sure if I should do it or not.
“So, what do you think?” I finally asked, grinding to a halt.
“I think that’s awesome! Wow, Rosie! It’s a great way for you to exercise your love of dance. It’s such a shame that you have all that training and don’t get to use it. Imagine what you could do with a studio of your own!” And he was off and running.
I listened to Ty talk, bursting with ideas for expansion and ways to make things bigger and better, and I found myself growing annoyed. All he could see were the good things that might happen. He was completely ignoring the bad things and the hard things and the potentially hurtful things that might happen.
“You’re really quiet,” he finally realized.
“Yeah.” I scratched my forehead and pursed my lips.
“I really got crazy there. Sorry about that.”
I laughed and felt the annoyance drain away. “Yup, you did. There are some really good things about doing this, you’re right. But I’d have to walk away from the ranch and ask to take some of my investment money with me. That could cause some major problems.”
“Like what?” Ty, in his only-child world, didn’t fully understand the complicated sibling relationship I had with Luke, who was his best friend.
“Luke and Heather are going to see this as a betrayal. And that might strain things between you and me.”
“Oh,” Ty said as the pieces clicked together. “Luke would want me to be on his side, and you’d want me to be on yours.”
“That’s right. Plus, they’d be down another employee. I don’t like the idea of leaving them shorthanded.”
Ty sighed. “And you’d be really hard to replace. I doubt Luke always understands just how unusual it is to have someone who can sub in just about any job. I mean, he’s my best friend, but he sometimes acts like he’s doing you a favor giving you a job there.”
Tears sprang to my eyes. It meant so much to me that Ty saw that. I often wondered if I was making a big deal of things, but here was the affirmation I needed.
When I didn’t respond, Ty said, “Whatever you decide to do, Rosie, I’m on your side. No matter what.”
And my heart felt like it would burst with joy.
15
I ended up sitting on Mae’s bed with Jill, pouring out the whole story. The two of them nodded and listened, sharing a bag of popcorn between us. Mae asked if I could be happy living in Birch Springs for the rest of my life. Jill pointed out that this seemed like the direction I’d been praying about. Neither of them tried to sway me toward one choice or the other, instead helping me to think things through.
And so, by the next day at noon I was ready to talk to my family about Donna’s proposal. Sometime in the night, I’d realized I needed to hear their perspectives. Matt had started his own business and had lots of experience to put at my disposal. My parents understood risk and finance. Even Luke and Heather needed to be consulted, because this would affect them directly.
That didn’t mean that I wasn’t nervous. Mae dropped me off and wished me good luck. I waved to her, then swallowed hard and headed up the walkway to my parents’ house. Once inside, I kept quiet, knowing that the right time to talk would be after we’d eaten and the kids were napping. Heather was telling Mom all about the troubles she was having with Abby regressing with her potty training. I was able to quietly set the table and fill glasses with ice and n
ot say anything. After all, I didn’t have kids and so my opinion was not needed.
Ty came in a little late. We didn’t do more than exchange a greeting and a smile before Mom announced that lunch was ready. This time, we ended up at opposite ends of the table on the same side, so we couldn’t see each other easily. Luke kept Ty talking business with Dad while Heather monopolized the conversation on our end.
We cleaned up and everyone moved to the living room. I was dragging behind, and Ty pulled me into the hallway.
“How are you doing with everything?” he asked, squinting as though trying to see every one of my thoughts and feelings.
I smiled tightly. “I want to talk it over with the family. I’m going to try and do that right now.”
His eyebrows shot upward. “Wow, Rosie! Way to face it head on!”
“I think I might throw up,” I moaned.
Ty pulled me into a hug and whispered in my ear, “If you throw up right now, you’ll ruin this shirt, and it cost almost three hundred dollars.”
It worked. I pulled back and looked at him with amazement. “Seriously? Three hundred dollars?”
He snickered. “Yeah, Jenna bought it. It looks good, right?”
“Sure, but that’s ridiculously expensive.” I smiled, more at ease now.
“Did you just admit that you think I’m handsome?” Ty teased.
I gave him a light jab to the ribs. “That’s a conversation for another day. I don’t need your head so big you can’t fit into the living room.”
We made a point of not entering looking like a couple. Neither of us had discussed when we’d tell my family we were dating, but since we both seemed to be treating it cautiously, that was fine. We had plenty to deal with today without dropping that particular bomb.
Heather, who always escaped cleaning up, had just returned from putting the kids down for naps. Everyone else was listening while Luke discussed the new receptionist they were currently considering. Apparently, Rosa’s niece had a lot of potential.
Ty stretched out on the couch next to my mom, and I took my usual empty seat. I waited, anxiety growing, while everyone asked their questions about this topic.
As soon as there was a lull, Ty winked at me. I took a deep breath and dove in.
“So, I’m glad you’re all here.” I paused and cleared my throat. “There’s something I want to discuss with everyone. I really need your advice.”
Matt nodded. He hadn’t been able to call me back yesterday and had finally texted later, apologizing. I’d replied that I’d tell him today, so he was the only one in the room other than Ty who saw this coming. Luke looked slightly annoyed that I was grabbing the floor. Heather had started flicking through her phone. Mom and Dad looked curious and surprised, but interested.
“As you know, I’ve been volunteering at Donna’s studio since I got back to town. Yesterday, she took me to lunch and asked me to think about becoming a partner with her at the studio.” I paused and watched them.
My parents exchanged a look that seemed part “that’s great” and part “oh dear.” Luke’s forehead dropped lower and lower, while his wife stopped scrolling and gaped at me. Matt nodded along thoughtfully. Well, it was all about as I’d predicted.
“You’re not actually thinking about doing this,” Luke scoffed.
I tugged the bottom of my skirt and said, “I promised I’d consider it. And there are some definite reasons why it might be a good fit for me.”
“Like what?” accused Heather. “Rosie, you don’t know the first thing about business! It’s much harder than you probably realize.”
I resented her implication that I hadn’t paid attention to the work she and Luke were doing. If anything, I was the one who noticed things, and she was the one who was too self-absorbed.
“Donna would stick around for several years before retiring,” I explained, trying to keep calm. “She’d be able to teach me how to run things.”
Luke leaned forward. “But there’s no way you can actually make decent money doing that. Donna’s done all the work building the business. You’d be a junior partner, and she’d keep most of the money you make.”
I knew this next part wouldn’t go over well, at least with my eldest brother. I took a deep breath and said, “She’s looking to expand to Norman’s space next door. She’s asked me to consider investing in the remodel. That would make me a more equal partner and able to earn more of the profits.”
Heather’s eyes bugged, and Luke snorted.
“How much is she asking for?” Dad asked in a let’s-stay-calm tone.
“She didn’t ask for a specific amount. She needs to raise another fifty thousand dollars, but she doesn’t expect me to contribute all of that.”
“What?!” spat Luke. “She’s asking for fifty thousand dollars?!”
I felt tears pricking my eyes. I hated having Luke angry with me, but he was also being completely unfair. No matter how much I tried to argue logically, he overreacted. Why couldn’t he support me in this?
Matt reached over and grabbed my hand. “Back off, Luke,” he warned. “You’re taking that out of context. I think this is a really interesting possibility, and I’m glad you’re considering it, Rosemarie.” He squeezed my hand and I threw him a grateful, if watery smile.
“You certainly have the dance experience to be an asset to the studio,” Mom added gently. “I’m not surprised at all that Donna asked you.”
Luke took the floor. “I’m sorry, Rosie. I didn’t mean to fly off the handle. It’s just that I have a lot of concerns about this, and I don’t want you to be taken advantage of.”
Why was it that every time Luke talked to me, he acted like I was twelve and also kind of stupid?
“For one thing,” he began, “there are no guarantees that this studio will be a success long term. What if Donna retires and the whole thing tanks? You’d be out of a job and bankrupt. On top of that, you’re going to have to work really hard to make sure everything gets done. Running a business is a lot of work.”
“And what about the job you already have?” accused Heather very snidely. “You’re going to just quit working at the ranch? After all we’ve done for you?”
That was enough. I pushed to my feet, face red and temper blaring. “I don’t want to hear it from the two of you. I know you mean well, but this is ridiculous. Luke, you’re acting like I’m going to run the studio into the ground the minute Donna retires. And do you really think I have no idea what it takes to run a business? I’ve watched Dad do it all the years we were growing up. Now I’ve worked with you while you run it. And, quite honestly, I know some parts of it better than you do.”
My oldest brother opened his mouth to protest, but I held up a hand. “Heather, I don’t know why you’re upset with me for thinking about quitting. All I am to you is a glorified temp. You have never once thanked me for filling in with no warning to just about every position on the ranch. I’ve worked hard for the past couple of years to make sure that your dream comes true, and now I want to chase mine, and you’re acting like I’m too stupid to know what I’m doing.
“Yes, I might fail. The studio might not make it, but that’s a risk every business owner takes. All I wanted to do today is ask you guys to give me advice and pray for me while I decide. But you two can’t do that, because it would mean that I’m not going to be one more person you can boss around.” My chest was heaving and my fists were balled. Years of pent-up frustration was spilling out, and I was left regretting my words.
I sat down with a thump, wishing this whole thing had never happened.
“Rosie, you’re a ‘glorified temp’ because you never wanted to do anything else,” Luke said, his tone mollifying. “You have a degree in dance, for crying out loud. How could I put you in charge of marketing or something?”
Ty sat up straighter. “Whoa, Luke. That’s really uncalled for.”
Luke turned shocked eyes on his best friend. “What?” he protested innocently.
“Do
you really not understand everything Rosemarie does for the ranch? Who else do you employ who would willingly go and muck out stables for a week without complaint? She does every job you give her well. Everyone there likes her, and a few are still only loyal to the family because of her.” Ty threw me an admiring look that I held onto like it was a lifesaver.
Everyone noticed the sparks passing between us. I suppose when we were both grinning at each other like the other had hung the moon, people were bound to notice.
It was Heather, of course, who gave this new knowledge a voice. “Oh, I get it. Are the two of you, like, dating or something?”
Luke’s face was red, though he didn’t speak.
Ty, bless him, got to his feet and came over to my chair. He reached out his hand and pulled me to my feet, and then put his arm around me.
“We hadn’t really discussed telling you all this, but Rosemarie and I are, in fact, dating.”
I looked up at him, and he smiled brightly and winked at me.
“That’s great!” Matt boomed. “Congrats, you two!”
And that seemed to allow Mom and Dad to chip in.
“We always thought you’d make a great pair,” Mom said and rushed in for hugs.
“We’ve only gone out once,” I protested.
“But it went really well, don’t you think?” Ty added, and I couldn’t help but blush and nod.
Luke, however, made some excuse about needing to get back to the ranch. He gave Mom the most fleeting of hugs and then grunted a good-bye to the rest of us before stomping out to his truck and roaring out of the driveway. Heather watched him go before saying she needed to check on the kids.
I was left feeling conflicted. On the one hand, I hated more than anything that my brother was angry with me. But I also was proud of myself for finally standing up and pointing out the ways they’d mistreated me.
“He’ll come around,” Matt whispered into my ear when he gathered me into a congratulatory bear hug. “And you finally got your man!”
I gave him a light punch on the arm when he let me go and we exchanged excited smiles. Then my parents insisted we all get drinks and “the new couple” tell all. Matt wanted more details about the possibility of me working at the studio. Heather never did rejoin us, but the rest of the time was much more fun. I got to sit with Ty’s arm around my shoulders and feel like I was finally accepted at the adults’ table.